Naval Support Facility (NSF) Redzikowo Sailor, Master-at-Arms 1st Class Charles Neal, competed in the international Best Soldier Competition in Croatia in May.

Neal is one of two American military personnel from the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility and one of 10 American military members selected to participate.

"It was a true honor to be selected for this competition," said Neal. "It means a lot to use the skills I've learned while in the Navy to represent the base and country competing in events with 150 military personnel from around the globe."

The Best Soldier Competition took place in Vinkovci and Vukovar, Croatia, for eight days, and the main event was held across a distance of 40 kilometers.

The competition consisted of rifle qualifications, land navigation, an infantry obstacle course, short and long-distance shoots, a water obstacle course, medical skills and radio communication tests.

"Petty Officer Neal's experience, positive attitude, and high level of motivation made him the best candidate to represent NSF Redzikowo and the United States Navy for this event," said Lt. Jacob Englander, installation security officer at NSF Redzikowo. "This was a great opportunity for him to continue our efforts to strengthen international partnerships. He is a fierce competitor and was the right guy for the job!"

Neal, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, joined the Navy in 2004 and has had a competitive physical fitness record and expeditionary warfare training throughout his career that helped prepare him for this competition.

Neal has earned his Surface Warfare and Expeditionary Warfare Specialist qualifications and has served two deployments in Afghanistan.

"This competition was challenging, both mentally and physically," said Neal. "I've worked with other nations before, but being in a competition like this where we were competing, yet still helping each other out, was such a unique experience. We didn't all speak the same language, yet we were all able to work as a team. It was something I'll never forget."

NSF Redzikowo's operations enable the responsiveness of U.S. and allied forces in support of Navy Region Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia's (NAVEURAFSWA) mission to provide services to the fleet, fighter and family. NAVEURAFSWA executes the eight lines of operations ashore to support the United States and allied forces operating in the Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia area of responsibility.

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For more news from Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/cnre/.

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